The anyphaenid sac spiders of the family Anyphaenidae are distinguished from the sac spiders and other spiders by having the abdominal spiracle placed one third to one half of the way anterior to the spinnerets toward the epigastric furrow on the underside of the abdomen. In most spiders the spiracle is just anterior to the spinnerets. Like clubionids, anyphaenids have eight eyes arranged in two rows, conical anterior spinnerets that touched and are wandering predators that built silken retreats, or sacs, usually on plant terminals, between leaves, under bark or under rocks. There are more than 500 species in over 50 genera worldwide.
The family is widespread and includes such common genera as Anyphaena(worldwide except tropical Africa and Asia) and Hibana (New World). Species in the latter genus are important predators in several agricultural systems, especially tree crops. They are able to detect and feed on insect eggs, despite their poor eyesight. They share this ability at least with some miturgid spiders.
The spider's respiratory anatomy is based on a tracheal system, with each opening to the trachea as an extension of an outer pore reaching from the spider abdomen, protected by spiracles which are pores in the spider exoskeleton, composed of chitin.
Spiders reproduce by eggs laid in silk bundles called egg sacs, and the male (usually significantly smaller than the female down to 1% for Tidarren sisyphoides) is likely to be killed by the female after the coupling, or sometimes before intercourse has occurred.
When sexually mature, a male spider will spin a web pad onto which the contents of the abdominal reproductive organs are discharged and then the seminal fluid is transferred into the cavities of the palpi; when an individual secures a mate he thrusts the palpi one at a time into her abdominal genital openings.
Feeds |
Contact